Visitor dies while hiking on Hawaii island lava field

A Hawaii County Fire Department helicopter crew Tuesday afternoon found a 56-year-old visitor who died while hiking on the lava field near Kalapana Gardens subdivision.

A fire battalion chief said the man had been unable to walk after hiking the whole day, so his hiking companion went to get help. That friend met a county medic who accompanied him, but he could not find the 56-year-old. The report was made at 3:02 p.m.

The medic called for additional resources and ground and helicopter crews searched for the man. The helicopter crew found the man and transported him to an ambulance unit, which determined he had died.